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General

1. What is CreateDebate?
   CreateDebate is a social utility that allows our users to make better decisions. It's a place for people to debate topics and ideas that they are passionate about and link their arguments to anywhere on the web. Regardless of the topic, CreateDebate's proprietary technology surfaces the best arguments for each side as voted on by our users. Our mission is to provide a place that harnesses the collective intelligence of our users and empowers them to make better decisions.
2. How do I create a debate?
   In the main menu bar, click "Create." Choose whether you want a 2-Sided Debate or a Popularity Contest (depending on the topic) and then be sure to invite your friends to debate the topic with you.
3. How do I invite friends to a debate?
   By clicking on "Share This Debate" in the debate submenu you can invite anyone you'd like to the debate.
4. Why am I banned from this debate?
   The only person that has the authority to ban debate participants is the debate moderator. You must have posted an obscene or derogatory comment on the debate (shame on you). Try winning back the moderator's favor by asking them to be an ally, or sending them some fresh baked cookies.

Debate Types

1. What is a 2-Sided Debate?
   A 2-Sided Debate is used to debate a topic that can be easily broken down in to two sides, such as "Should abortion be illegal: Yes or No?" By default, any CreateDebate user can post in a 2-Sided Debate.
2. What is a Popularity Contest Debate?
   A Popularity Contest is best used for a debate that can't be broken down easily in to two sides, such as "What's the greatest band ever?" By default, any CreateDebate user can post in a Popularity Contest Debate.
3. What is a Challenge Debate?
   A Challenge Debate is a one-on-one debate where only the two participants in the debate can add arguments. Although only the two participants can add arguments, all CreateDebate users can vote up or down the arguments made for each side. You can challenge another CreateDebate user to a Challenge Debate from their profile. Just click on "Challenge to a Debate" from their profile and follow the "best practices" for the debate.

Arguments

1. How do I add an argument to a debate?
   Adding an argument is simple. Just click the "Add Argument" icon on the debate you want to post in and add in whatever argument you'd like. Be sure to use the "Spell Checker" and the "Preview" to make sure it looks just how you want it to prior to posting.
2. How do I add a video or a link to an argument?
   1. When adding an argument, click the "Add Link or Embed Video" link.
   2. Navigate to the webpage where the video or link you want to embed is located.
   3. Copy the URL of that webpage, which is in your browser Toolbar.
   4. Paste that URL in the add a link / embed a video field (press preview if you want to see if it worked).
   5. Be sure to give the link or video a descriptive title.
3. How do I report an argument I find offensive?
   If you feel that an argument that someone posted is offensive, you can notify us by clicking on the "Report" link on the right side of the Reply toolbar of any argument.

Debate Scoring

1. What are all these scores?
   CreateDebate keeps track of all Debate, Side, and Argument voting activity and displays this information for each debate. We provide CreateDebate users with as much summary information about the debate as possible so they can decide which debates they want to get involved in. The scoring is kept and displayed "real-time", so you'll always know the latest debate stats. All scoring is calculated based on the actions taken by the CreateDebate community, ensuring the scoring process is completely democratic.
2. What does the Debate Score mean?
   The Debate Score is the total number of "up votes" that a debate has received. This shows the relative strength of the arguments in the debate as voted on by the CreateDebate community. A high Debate Score indicates there are a lot of good arguments contained within the debate.
3. What does the Side Score mean?
   The Side Score is the sum of all of the "up votes" that a particular side of a debate has received. This score does not take in to account the number of "down votes" received by that side, so it will not always be equal to the sum of the argument scores for a particular side. A high Side Score indicates that there are a lot of good arguments for that particular side of a debate, as decided on by the CreateDebate community.
4. What does the Argument Score mean?
   The Argument Score is the total number of "up votes" an argument has received minus the total number of "down votes" of that argument. This shows the relative strength of that argument as voted on by the CreateDebate community. Arguments with a higher argument score will rise to the top of the debate as they are considered the best argument for that side.

Moderators

1. What is a Moderator?
   When you create a new debate, you automatically become the debate moderator. Moderators have special privileges that allow them to customize the debate. Every debate is a reflection of its moderator.
2. What special privileges does a Moderator have?
   1. Change the title, sides or description of the debate.
   2. Decide if the debate is public or private (and who can view the debate).
   3. Ban users to prevent them from participating in the debate.
   4. Grant or remove moderator privileges (there can be more than one moderator).
   5. Change when the debate will end or end it altogether.
   6. Permanently delete the debate.
3. I am a Moderator, how do I make changes?
   If you are a debate moderator, then you will see a Moderator Panel link in the submenu on the debate page. Click it and you'll find more information.

Allies, Enemies, and Hostiles

1. What is an Ally?
   An Ally is a user who you have joined forces with on CreateDebate. They are typically a CreateDebate user with whom you have common interests and opinions. Both parties have to accept the invitation in order for you to become Allies. Want to find some Allies? Click here to view CreateDebate users.
2. What is an Enemy?
   An Enemy is an adversary that you have identified on CreateDebate. They are typically a CreateDebate user with whom you have different interests and opinions. Only one party has to declare another party an enemy, although you can reciprocate the animosity if you'd like. Want to find some Enemies? Click here to view CreateDebate users.
3. What is a Hostile?
   A Hostile is a user that has declared you as an enemy.

My Profile

1. How do I change my email address and/or password?
   You can change your password on the Edit Account page under the My Profile menu.
2. Where can I manage the emails I receive from CreateDebate?
   CreateDebate notifies you when certain events happen, such as when you get invited to a debate. You can change these settings and get notified only when you want to by setting your Notification Preferences.
3. How do I add CreateDebate to my other social networks (i.e. MySpace, Friendster, Xanga)?
   You can link your CreateDebate profile to any of your other social network profiles with a simple copy and paste. Click on My Profile and scroll down to "My Widget". Simply copy the code in the gray box and paste it in your profile on any other social network to link them your CreateDebate profile. Your contacts will be instantly linked to your profile.

Reward Points

1. What are Reward Points?
   Rewards points are a fun way to keep track of how well your debates and arguments are doing on CreateDebate, as well as how much you're participating. The more you participate with quality arguments, the more points you receive. So go on and get debating!
2. How Do I Get Points?

   The main ways to get points are to make good arguments in debates, create your own debates, make new debates, and to get others to participate in your debates.

   Action	Points
   Add an Argument	up to 10 points per debate
   Get Rated	up to 20 points per argument
   Create a Debate	5 points
   Add friends	20 points on signup
   Complete your profile	10 points

   
   
3. What does "up to" mean?
   When you argue, you get a point per argument, with a maximum of 10 points per debate. When your arguments are rated highly by fellow debaters, you get extra points, up to 20 per argument.
4. What are Reward Points good for?
   We're still thinking about redeeming points for free stuff or special privileges on the site. In the future, when you vote for an argument, your level of points will influence how much those votes are for. If you have any suggestions, let us know!

Sharing

1. Why should I add a CreateDebate link or button to my website?
   By putting a CreateDebate link or button on your website, you will allow your website users to create debates about the content on your site. If a debate is created about content on your site and becomes one of our "Most Heated" debates, you can expect to see a significant increase in traffic to your site.
2. Is there an easy way to create new debates about web pages that interest me?
   Yes! By adding a bookmarklet to your browser, you will be able to prepopulate the create new debate form with the information from the web page that you are visiting in one simple click.